Their compassion has allowed terminally ill colleagues to reach new heights that would not have otherwise been possible, making lasting memories for their families to cherish along the way.

This year’s Inspiration in Policing Award, sponsored by Flint House Police Rehabilitation Centre, has been won by PC Jason Evans and PC Andrew Kemp from Thames Valley Police for their charitable work, selflessness, teamwork and ethics.

PS Lawerence East has stage 4 terminal pancreatic cancer that is incurable. To keep himself focused and raise awareness of the highly aggressive disease, he has been setting himself various extreme physical feats.

Both PCs have been supporting PS East and a terminally ill fireman, who has motor neurone disease (MND) and has lost the use of his arms and is slowly losing strength in his neck and shoulders, to complete these challenges.

The pair have also spoken out about their struggles with trauma and mental health and have worked together to help others in policing who are going through a difficult time. More recently they assisted a female Met officer who was shot on duty and consequently suffers from PTSD as a result of the harrowing incident.

PC Kemp was first on scene where PC Andrew Harper was killed, giving him first aid. He has been deeply affected by the death of his colleague.

PC Evans has, despite being young and fit, had major heart surgery and this has knocked his confidence and wellbeing, taking him away from frontline policing.

On 4 February 2022 for World Cancer Day, PC Kemp guided PS East and the fireman with MND to the top of Scafell Pike, the tallest mountain in England, facing a breathtaking -15C wind chill.

In October that same year, he also helped them both complete the National Three Peaks Challenge, climbing the highest peaks of Scotland, England and Wales with a total ascent of 3064 metres (10,052ft). The team raised more than £3000 for the Curtis Palmer Program in the process, which helps serving and retired police officers and staff with physical injury, illness and mental health wellbeing.

Recognising the fact his mental health was improving as he helped others, he recruited PC Evans to help him guide PS East, the fireman and the female firearms officer to the summit of Snowdon on Feb 4, 2023.

They gave up their weekend and drove to Wales, guiding PS East, the fireman, the female firearms officer and their friends and family to the snowy peak, facing the -5C wind chill. This gave PS East, the fireman and the female officer a sense of worth and a huge sense of achievement to share with their families.

Due to the chemo PS East is having, he sadly cannot feel his feet, so balance is difficult, but thanks to his perseverance and help from the team, he still made it to the top.

It also created memories for their young families as PS East’s two young boys and 13-year-old daughter were with him.

Thames Valley Police Federation Chair, Aileen O’Connor, said: “I’m extremely proud of Jason and Andy and everything they have done and continue to do to support this charity. They are two of the humblest people you could meet and are truly blown away to be nominated and to have won the Inspiration in Policing Award.

“They don’t see what they’ve done as inspirational - they are the kind, selfless and amazing human beings. I, on behalf of Thames Valley Police Federation, am immensely proud of them.”

The ethos behind the Inspiration in Policing Award is to recognise extraordinary officers whose achievements don’t necessarily fit with a specific act of bravery in the last 12 months, but rather officers who have battled adversity and demonstrated immense moral courage, spirit, and strength to highlight an issue and/or make a positive change for the benefit of policing and our members.